Here's our best guess for when you'll be able to buy the iPhone XS

The iPhone XS release date is still in question, but here's our best guess. Hollis Johnson

Apple is going to launch new iPhones on September 12, including one reportedly set to be called the iPhone XS.

But what is the actual release date for the iPhone XS, when will you be able to preorder them, and when will they be shipped to customers?

Our best guess is that preorders will begin on Friday, September 14, with shipments on Friday, September 21.

Here's why we think this, based on Apple's history of iPhone launches.

When will you be able to buy Apple's new iPhones?

We don't know yet officially, but there's enough information to make a solid guess.

For Americans and other early markets, you will probably be able to preorder a new iPhone model on Friday, September 14.

It will probably ship to your door and go on sale in stores on Friday, September 21.

How we arrived at these dates

Last week, Apple sent out invites to a special event on its campus. That launch event, which is widely expected to focus on iPhones and new Apple Watch models, is taking place on September 12.

Last year, Apple revealed the iPhone 8 and iPhone X on September 12.

The iPhone 8 was available to preorder three days later, on Friday, September 15. People started getting them a week later, on Friday, September 22.

The 15th and the 22nd fall on Saturday this year, so it's possible that Apple will choose to schedule the preorder and shipping dates to coincide with the Friday after the launch again, thus the 14th and the 21st.

Last year, in a break from tradition, Apple also made the iPhone X available to preorder more than six weeks after it was revealed, on Friday, October 27. People started getting them in the mail on Friday, November 3.

But Apple is also expected to release a lower-cost version of the iPhone X that's closer to $700 than $1,000. Analysts have predicted a "slightly later" release date for that device, so it could come out sometime in October.